British and German heads of state met this week to bridge the gap between them and “tried to paper over divergent views on European policy that have sparked a war of words between politicians and media in both countries.” For someone who lived through World War II, the picture of David Cameron entreating Angela Merkel conjures up Neville Chamberlain trying to appease … [Read more...] about Not-So-Moderate Memory of Europe in Crisis
Rick Santorum Should Just Go To Hell
The juxtaposition on The New York Times homepage of a shocking story that the Census Bureau has found that 51 million Americans have incomes less than 50 percent above the poverty line and the latest frothings from Little Ricky Santorum was in all likelihood unintentional, but made a big point. Two, in fact. Point One is that the number of new near poor in the U.S. as the … [Read more...] about Rick Santorum Should Just Go To Hell
Gallup Poll: Romney and Gingrich Lead in Republican Nomination Battle
A new Gallup Poll now confirms other polls that have been trickling out this week: the race for the Republican nomination now has two front runners, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- with former Texas Gov. Rick Perry still looking liked a super-hyped candidate who fizzed and former Godfather's Pizza CEO losing appeal like a cooled … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Romney and Gingrich Lead in Republican Nomination Battle
Spain Conservatives Get Huge Win: Rajoy Warns “No Miracles”
Faced with a recession that has largely undone decades of Franco-era and post-Franco era prosperity, angry Spaniards booted out the Socialists and gave conservatives one of the biggest election victories in Spain in 30 years -- raising expectations and bringing a warning from the man who'll be sworn in as Prime Minister next month that miracles won't occur … [Read more...] about Spain Conservatives Get Huge Win: Rajoy Warns “No Miracles”
Political Pipe Dreams
There are political pipe dreams. Like this. yeah, right. Not gonna happen. Especially when you have this. … [Read more...] about Political Pipe Dreams
30 Years On, The Question Remains: Was Natalie Wood Murdered By Robert Wagner?
It was November 29, 1981 and Hollywood star Natalie Wood had a few days off over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from shooting Brainstorm. She and actor-husband Robert Wagner were doing what they often did on weekends, spending some time on their yacht Splendor, which was docked at Isthmus Cove on Catalina Island, drinking and drugging. Christopher Walken , who also was … [Read more...] about 30 Years On, The Question Remains: Was Natalie Wood Murdered By Robert Wagner?
Oh, And Jane Austen Was Poisoned. Maybe.
Jane Austen's untimely end at the age of 41 has long been a cause for speculation among historians. Austen, the author of classics including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, may have died of arsenic poisoning, according to a crime writer who has reviewed the last letters of the British novelist. The crucial clue lies in a line written by Austen a few … [Read more...] about Oh, And Jane Austen Was Poisoned. Maybe.
John Boehner and the Lobbying Firm Planning to Undermine Occupy Wall Street
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy WASHINGTON - This story puts the 1% in perspective, but also how dangerous the national Occupy movement is seen to be to insiders and establishment players. The plans by a connected lobbying firm to undermine the power building in Occupy is the latest example of how uncomfortable the protesters are … [Read more...] about John Boehner and the Lobbying Firm Planning to Undermine Occupy Wall Street
If They Enforced Bank Regulation Like They Do Park Rules …
We Wouldn't Be In This Mess In The First Place! This meme -- as a tweet and photo of an unidentified protester holding a sign -- has been making the rounds of the interwebs. Wed 16 Nov : @estellevw "If only they enforced bank regulations like they do park rules, we wouldn’t be in this mess." #OWS Early Sun 20 Nov : Cory @doctorow "If Only They Enforced Bank … [Read more...] about If They Enforced Bank Regulation Like They Do Park Rules …
Occupy the Majority
BOSTON -- Everyone on the left side of American politics, from the near end to the far end, has advice for Occupy Wall Street. I'm no exception. But it's useful to acknowledge first that this movement has accomplished things that the more established left didn't. The problems of growing economic inequality and abuses by the masters of the financial world have been in … [Read more...] about Occupy the Majority
Pandering To The American Taliban
As bad as the police brutality against the OWS demonstrators was it was not the scariest thing that happened last week. The most disturbing thing has to be six of the would be Republican candidates for president pandering to the greatest threat to this nation - the Evangelical Christians or the American Taliban. It happened at the Thanksgiving Family Forum. At a forum on … [Read more...] about Pandering To The American Taliban
Trouble for Obamaland: Is He Losing the Reagan Democrats?
There could be new trouble for Obamaland: according to the Detroit Free Press, there are signs he is losing Reagan Democrats who once supported him: President Barack Obama says he saved Michigan's auto industry, but that isn't helping his 2012 re-election bid in Macomb and Oakland counties, where Republican front-runner Mitt Romney's strength helps give him a 5-point lead … [Read more...] about Trouble for Obamaland: Is He Losing the Reagan Democrats?
The Hillary Effect: Barnes & Noble NOOK aps for Your PC, Mac & iPad
WASHINGTON - Thanks Quincy! Great shot, yes? Quite a discerning Pug. I've always loved these pups and now I know why. I've been getting a lot of questions about how to get my book if you don't have a NOOK. Since The Hillary Effect is exclusive to Barnes & Noble until December 15th, I thought I'd provide the info. So, for those of you who don't have a NOOK, not to … [Read more...] about The Hillary Effect: Barnes & Noble NOOK aps for Your PC, Mac & iPad
Government-Created Jobs
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Government-Created Jobs
Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Newt Gingrich New Republican 2012 Presidential Nomination Front-Runner
There's a new (once again) front-runner for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. And former front-runner, former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain's support is crumbling faster than a month-old dried out pizza from Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan: Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has … [Read more...] about Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Newt Gingrich New Republican 2012 Presidential Nomination Front-Runner
Why We Should Not Be Disappointed in President Obama
Some of us who were drawn and captivated by Obama’s soaring rhetoric and by his “incandescent” charisma during the 2008 presidential elections may feel somewhat disappointed by what we have seen in the past three years. The gentleman in this 6-minute video, Jake Lamar, tells us quietly, plainly and succinctly why he is not disappointed in President Obama and why he … [Read more...] about Why We Should Not Be Disappointed in President Obama
The Flying Diplomat
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Flying Diplomat
A WARNING about the US-China Relationship
In the past week President Obama has taken several opportunities to stand up to the Chinese and reassert American dominance. This BBC article describes the past weeks events in three Acts. In Act One the US moved swiftly to advance the Transpacific Partnership, which would create a free trade area among major countries in the Pacific Rim, but for now would exclude China. … [Read more...] about A WARNING about the US-China Relationship
Newt Turns Dickensian
An impression of Bumble the Beadle is Newt Gingrich’s latest turn in a one-man show of Dickens impressions as he tells Harvard students that he wants to turn schools into workhouses by hiring poor kids as janitors: "You're in a school that is failing with a teacher that is failing...Most of these schools ought to get rid of the unionized janitors, have one master janitor and … [Read more...] about Newt Turns Dickensian
Child Rape Deserves the Ultimate Punishment
Child Rape Deserves the Ultimate Punishment by Michael Reagan Child rape is an unforgivable offense and should be severely punished. It should be a capital crime. Unfortunately and unwisely, the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008 struck down a Louisiana law that provided for the death penalty in cases of child rape. Part of the court's rationale was that only a few states had … [Read more...] about Child Rape Deserves the Ultimate Punishment